Catios and Fully Enclosed Kits: A Comprehensive Guide for Cat Owners
Owners always want the best for their pets, but it's hard to provide both enrichment and safety for cats. Keeping them indoors can cause boredom and stress, but letting them roam outdoors is dangerous as they can get injured or sick. A wonderful solution for both you and your cat is a catio or fully enclosed cat fence.
A catio creates a safe outdoor space for your cat to explore and enjoy. Learn more about catios, their benefits, and how to choose the right one for your cat in this guide!
What Is a Catio?
A catio is a unique outdoor cat enclosure that features a fully enclosed, fenced-off space for cats to explore. Larger catios act like fenced-off patio areas, which is where the term originated from — a catio is basically a patio for your cat! Catios can either be permanent or temporary and come in various sizes, from small enclosed window seats to larger outdoor rooms where cats have space to play.
Some cat owners choose catios that attach to their houses, while others prefer a separate enclosure. If you have a large backyard, you can also opt for a traditional cat-proof fence, allowing your cat to roam the entire area. With plenty of options available, you can create the perfect setup for your cat and your space. No matter the size, your cat is bound to appreciate the opportunity to experience the outdoors.
Benefits of a Catio
The main benefit of a catio is two-fold — cats get to play outside while their owners have peace of mind. This is important for cat owners who want to keep their cats safe from harm but feel guilty about keeping them trapped inside. When you choose to install a catio, you and your cat will enjoy the following benefits:
- Protection: Catios provide protection for cats while they enjoy time outside. They reduce the risk of pests and viruses, prevent fights with other cats, and protect them from dangers like cars and predators. This can save you money on vet bills and give you more time with your cat.
- Enrichment: You can add shelves, toys, and hideaways to your catio to provide the enrichment cats lack from being cooped up indoors.
- Conservation: Outdoor cats tend to hunt species like birds and lizards, which can negatively impact the ecosystem. With a catio, your cat can spend time outdoors without affecting the environment or harming wildlife.
- Access to nature: Larger backyard catios let cats play on and explore grass, flowers, bushes, and trees. These new sights, textures, and smells provide mental stimulation and can reduce anxiety.
- More room: Catios provide more space for indoor cats than what's available in your home. This extra room allows them to move, run around, and play with other pets.
- Exercise: Cats with more space and things to explore will exercise more, helping to prolong their life span and reduce the risk of obesity.
How to Choose a Catio
Catios are customizable and come in many shapes and sizes. With so many choices, it can be hard to choose the right cat enclosure for your kitty that also falls within your budget. The good news is that smaller catios can be just as beneficial as larger ones — it all depends on your cat. When buying or designing a catio, consider the following factors to narrow your choices:
- Requirement: What do you want to offer your cat? If you just want to give them a small spot to sit and enjoy the sunshine, a smaller catio will do. If you want them to run and play outside, you'll want to install a large cat fence enclosure or fence your yard with a cat-proof fence.
- Number of cats: If you have more than one cat, you'll want to create a bigger enclosure for them to enjoy. This will give them space to play together but also enjoy some quiet time away from the others.
- Space: Smaller catios are best for people with limited yard space, while spacious cat fence enclosures are ideal for larger backyards. You could also consider cat-proofing your original fence so they can roam the whole yard.
- Preference: If your cat prefers to be outside, a separate cat fence enclosure will let them roam a portion of your yard freely. If your cat is more timid, they may prefer a small catio closer to your house.
- Budget: Due to their size, smaller catios will often cost less than a backyard cat fence enclosure. However, your cat will have less room to play and explore. A large catio or cat fence enclosure is an excellent investment if you have the budget and yard space.
What to Add to a Catio
Creating a catio is an exciting project because there are so many design options. Your catio can be simple or full of enrichment — it all comes down to your budget and preferences. If you're thinking of getting a catio or have just installed one, here are a few ideas for things you can add to make the space more fun and inviting:
- Plants: Plants and other natural elements make catio spaces more enriching and aesthetically pleasing. Pick out some non-toxic plants for your cat and place them throughout the enclosure. If your catio already includes parts of your garden, ensure that each plant inside is safe for cats.
- Platforms: Cats love vertical space and climbing. To give them more to explore, add multiple shelves, platforms, tunnels, and bridges at varying heights throughout the catio.
- Toys: Scratching posts, ropes, dangling toys, balls, and other fun cat toys are perfect additions to any catio to keep your cat entertained. They also make for excellent bonding activities while you spend time with them inside the catio.
- Beds: Your cat will most likely enjoy a soft, cushioned spot to nap on inside their catio. Add cushions, cat beds, hammocks, or a fun cat tree.
- Water features: A small fountain or water source adds an extra enrichment element to a catio. Your cat can listen to the sounds of water, play in it, or drink from it.
Give Your Cat Outdoor Access With Easy Pet Fence
If you're considering creating a catio or cat fence enclosure for your furbaby, Easy Pet Fence can help! We provide the following options to help you create a safe outdoor play area:
- Catio/Fully Enclosed Cat Fence: Our catios — made from plastic, steel, and wire fencing — are fully enclosed on all four sides and the top. They'll keep your kitty safe and sound while they spend time in your backyard.
- Free Standing Cat Fence Kit: Create a secure cat outdoor play area in your yard with a Free Standing Cat Fence Kit. This simple-to-install kit has everything you need to create a cat-proof fence enclosure. You can customize the design and size of it to suit your home and budget.
- Cat Fence Conversion Kit: If you have an existing fence and want to give your cat full access to your yard, try our Cat Fence Conversion Kit. This kit contains our vinyl-coated steel overhand extenders you can mount to any sturdy structure over 5 feet tall. With these, even the craftiest kitties can't escape!
You can install our enclosures and fences yourself using our expert guidance and installation resources. Plus, we offer free shipping over $99, a 30-day return policy, and price matching on similar products.
Browse our cat fence options today! If you need something more custom or have questions, reach out to our top-rated customer service representatives for a personalized quote.